EY names Kristi Eckert head of Cincinnati office

EY US has appointed Kristi Eckert as office managing partner for Cincinnati, effective March 1, 2026.

Eckert, a consulting partner who has been with EY since 2004, will succeed Jeremy Vaughan, who has led the Cincinnati market since 2020. Vaughan will be moving to an expanded role with the EY Global and Americas consumer sector practices.

“Leading the Cincinnati office for the past six years was a tremendous privilege,” Vaughan said. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together – from prioritizing community service to growing our office and navigating challenges like the pandemic. I am confident that under Kristi’s leadership, our office will continue to expand our presence and service to the businesses that call Cincinnati home.”

Eckert currently serves as global client service partner for several large consumer products accounts. She previously led EY’s Central region consumer consulting market segment, overseeing core account strategy and activation.

During her 22 years with the Big Four firm, Eckert has guided clients across the US, Latin America, and UK on complex transformations. She began her tenure at EY in IT audit and risk assurance before moving to the consulting business, where she was named a partner in 2019.

Within the Cincinnati office, Eckert has been involved in talent development, campus recruiting, mentorship, and community initiatives.

She holds an MBA from Xavier University and a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and economics from Miami University.

“We have an outstanding team in Cincinnati, and I’m eager to build on our strong foundation as we use the full strength of our firm to help our clients accomplish their goals,” Eckert said.

EY recently appointed Neal Thomas as head of its Louisville office and Hala Martin as head of its San Francisco office.